Infolding machine



Oct. 18, 1932. w. DIXON INFOLDING MACHINE Filed May 27. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l Invernor: \A/alrerL. Dixon Kigal &

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b \Wlwm Oct. 18; 1932. L O 1,883,343

INFOLDING MACHINE I Filed May 27. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnvenTOr: \A/alfer L.'Dixon Oct. 18,1932. w. L. WON 1,883,343

INFOLDING MACHINE Filed May 27. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 63 Inventor:

Waher L. DiXO fI b Big- W,

Oct. 18, 1932. w DIXON 1,883343 INFOLDING' MACHINE Filed May 27. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 lnvenfon Walfer L. Dixon b Wu, Ki/wuwfiq a ATTys.

Oct. 18, 193 2 w DIXQN 1,883,343

INFOLDING MACHINE Filed May 27. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lnvenror: \A/aITer L. Dixon Patented Oct. 18, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WALTER L. DIXON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO REEGE FOLDING MACHINE COMPANY, OF, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAIN-E INFOLDING MACHINE 1 Application filed May 27,

This invention is a novel infolding machine, namely of the class used for folding 1n the margins of cloth blanks for collars, cuffs or other apparel. The invention is. illustrated as applied to a power driven automatic infolding machine constructed for the production of folded collar band blanks of a shape wherein one or both ends of the blank are rounded, without angular corners; although in some aspects the features of improvement are of utility for other shapes of collar or other blanks.

The general object of the presentinvention is to improve the construction, operation, output and convenience of infolding machines of the class referred to. A particular object is to improve the infolding mechanism both as to the folding movements of the infolders and as to their pressing movementsfor creasing the infolded blank. An-

other object is. to improve and simplify the operation of the defining die or templet and its mode of contraction for separation from the folded blanks.

A special object is to afford a system of infolders and operating mechanism adapted for the effective folding of the rounded ends of narrow blanks, such as the collar bands referred to, it having. been a diflicult undertaking to fold these rounded ends in amanner to give a smoothv outline in the product and to avoid the irregularity or bunching of the inturned fabric which is liable to occur and impairs the appearance and value of the product. Another object is to improve the drivingand clutch mechanism of a power actuated infolding machine. t

The present invention, for the attainment of the aforesaid objects and advantages,-con sists in the novel construction and operation of infolding machine, and the novel features of combination, arrangement and detailherein illustrated or described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 f is a general front elevation of an infolding machine embodying the present invention, with the defining templet shownin elevated position, the just-folded blank having been separated from the templet and the machine ready to receive a new blank and pass 1930. Serial 'No. 456,053.

through its cycle of defining, folding and pressing actions, certain front parts being broken away forfuller illustration.

Fig. 2 is a right elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1. Fig. '3 is a sectionview of a detail, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the machine, shown with the temple-t in its lowered position and partly broken away to show the infolder system.. Fig. 5 is a similar top plan view on an enlarged scale, but with certain plates removed, and showing the partsin position ready to receive the unfolded blank.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 5, but in a later stage, wherein the infolders have moved in over the templet to form the folds. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section view taken on the line 77 of Fig. 5,

tion taken on the line 11.11 of Fig. 10. Fig.

12 is a vertical transverse sectionview taken on the line 1212 of Fig. 1, looking from the right. Fig. 13 in plan view, and-partly in section on the line l313 of Figs. .1. and 10, shows a detail of the infolder lifting and lowering system. Fig. 14 is a right'elevation of the detail shown'in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 shows a modified form of crimping plate.

. The blank as indicated in Fig. 8 consists of a piece of cloth or similar material a which is shown in dotted lines in its original size and shape and in full lines in its complete or folded condition wherein-the sidemargin b at the front and rear have been turned in and the same with the marginal material at the ends, forming the folds a, which'are the critical and troublesome portions in the fold- ]ing of a blank of the shape indicated.

The defining die or templet, the system of infolders, the pressure applying means and the blank infeeding and outfeeding devices are operatively driven from a main or operating shaft 19 having its bearings in the two end uprights of the general frame 20 of the machine. At its upper portion the frame is formed with a fixed member or bed 21,- the center of which, substantially of the shape to be infolded, is slightly raised as a so-called pad or pedestal 22. The blanks are received and infolded on the top of this pad, the templet descending directly on the blanks on the pad, the infolders normally lying flush with the pad but being caused to rise before their inwardmovements, so that their inner edges may pass in over the pad and templet and their thicker bodies may move in to contact the sides of the pad, thus accurately forming or molding the infolds to the defined shape. At the upper-rear part of the frame are two solid brackets 24 which, at their upper ends, afford bearings for a longitudinal rock shaft 25 on which are fixed a pair of forwardly extending arms 26 carrying at their extremities the body or main plate of the die or templet 27, which is thus fitted to be swung downwardly into position upon the bed, and raised therefrom. I o The connections for lowering and raising the templet may be substantially as in prior infolding machines, comprising a rearwardly extending lever 29 on the shaft 25,- this lever connected by an adjustable connectmg rod 30 with the rear arm 31 of a bell crank lever, loosely mounted on axle 142 -to be described, the upwardly extending arm 32 of the lever carrying a cam-roll held by the weight of the templet in contact against the periphery a cam 33 mounted on the main shaft 19, this cam or disk having a contour so timed as to cause the lowering and lifting movements of the templet in coordination with the infolding and pressing operations. The templet instead of contracting both lengthwise and widthwise may be of the type arranged merely to shorten, which is sat1sfactory with a narrow blank, permitting the operative to strip the folded blank from the templet, after elevation, by a quick separating movement commencing at either end of the blank. As best seen in Fig. l the templet has a middle defining plate 35 and two similar end. plates 36, the three of them completely defining the blank with the exception of negligible gaps. The middle plate 35 is shown mounted beneath a carrier 37 which may be longitudinally fixed, but adjustably secured to a lug 38.mountedbeneath the body or main plate 39 of the templet which is recessed underneath to receive the described parts, and which body is secured to the arms 26 by which the templet is lowered and raised.

The underneath recess 40 in the templet body may be in the'form of agroove running the entire length of the body and it is shown as closed in by a pair of removable strips 41 so as to afford an undercut guideway for the endwise sliding movements of a pair of end carriages 42, each of which gives support to a downwardly extending carrier 43 supporting at its under side one of the end templet plates 36. By this arrangement it is only necessary to move the carriages 42 from or toward each Each of the pins also engages the cam slot 47 formed in a cam plate 48 located on top of the templet body and mounted to shift forwardly and rearwardly by attachment to a sliding bar 49 which extends rearwardly on top of the templet body and is held in its sliding path by three undercut guide bars 50.

Each of the cams 47 is preferably arranged with a dwell in the outer orexpanded position of the templet plates as seen in Fig. 4, and an inclined portion by which the plates are drawn inwardly when the slide bar and cam plate are thrust relatively forwardly.

The operation of theslidebar 49 maybe as follows. It is shown as having a rearward extension 52 toward the axis of'swinging of the templet and at the rear end of such extensiona pair of downward lugs 53 giving support'to a transverse cam pin and roller 54, as best shown in Fig. 10. The movements of the templet plates are effected by fore-and-aft shifting of the cam roller 54.

These movements -may conveniently be effected by means of a'fixed cam 55 which consists of a vertical plate having a hub mounted for convenience on the rock shaft 25 and standing in a fore-and-aft direction, with a cam slot composed of first a long dwell 56 and therebelow an ofiset'or operative portion 57, followed by a second dwell 58. The arrangementis such that when the templet is down, as shown in Fig. 10, the roller 54 engages the lower dwell 58, but when the templet is swung up the roller will pass into the operative portion 57 of the cam, whereby the slide bar 49 will be thrust forward, and the templet thus shortened in the early part of the lifting movement, the roller thence passing into the upper concentric cam portion 56 where it remains, with the templet contracted, until the next descent of the templet, rendering the extraction of the folded blank from the templet easy and convenient.

In order to permitthe regulation of the timing and action of the templet shortening cam 55 it is indicated as having a concentric slot 59 connected by a set screw 60 with a fixed bar 61extending between the axles and 198. Thusby loosening the screw '60 the cam may berotated to a different position and again-secured.

The system of infolde'rsto be described is herein shown carried upon a substantially rectangular frame or carriage 62 of outline form which is bodily movable for the lifting, dropping and pressing movements of themfolders and is arranged to telescope or narrow itself in a fore-and-aft direction to bring about the inward and outward movementsof the infolders at the front and rear sides of the blank. This plan is shown embodied herein by afront frame bar 63 and a substantially symmetrical rear frame bar 63, each formed with certain stiffening ribs or flanges '64 or 64, as best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. The front frame bar 63 has at each 'end'a rearwardly extending bar 65 and the rear frame bar has corresponding forward extensions 65. Each of the frame end bars 65 is formed with a groove or recess 66 and each of the end bars 65 with studs and rollers 67 engaging such recess, so as thus to permit relative movement between the two sides of the frame in a fore-and-aft direction.

Eachof the frame side bars 63 and 63 is also formed with certain longitudinal slots 68 and 68 for the adjustable attachment of the infolders to be described. Each of them is also provided with two outwardly extending' side lugs 69 and 69 through which the connections are made for giving the inward and outward movement'sto the frame side bars. Each of the frame side bars also is provided with two-swivelled devices or blocks 70 or 70, one at each end, these four blocks constituting part of the connections by which the lifting and dropping movements are given to the telescoping frame. The front swivel blocks '70 are attached beneath the frame side bar to avoid obstruction, while the rear ones 7O are disposed above the rear side bar for accessibility and adjustment.

- 1 Referring next to the infolders, these are shown as including a'plurality of infolders along each of the front and rear sides of the folding position or pad'and a systemof specially arranged and operated infolders enclosing and acting upon each of the two rounded ends of the shape to be folded. Thus at the front centeris shown a side infolder 72-attached by bolts 7 3 to the frame sidebar 63, while directly opposite is a corresponding rear center infolder 72 attached by bolts. 73. As best shown in Figs. 7 and 10 each infolder is preferably constructed with a thin inner or folding portion 74 or '1' 4?, adapted to be lifted above the blank sup: porting pad and moved inward thereover, while the body of each infolder is'relatively thicker, and at the completion of the infolding movement comes snugly'upinto contact withthe pad, as sufficiently indicated. in Fig.

descend by the thickness of the overhanging infolder portion 7 4, so that the tops of the infolders will initially lie substantially flush with the blank supporting pad. This arrangement is to be understood as applying to all infolders, without further description thereof. I i

In addition to the center side infolders 72 and 72 at front and rear, are what may be termed end side infolders 76 and 76 adjacent each end of the'center infolders, so that the long sides of the blank areinfolded by means of the three described folders at the front and similar three at the rear side.- Each of the end side infolders is shown as havinga particular shape cooperating with the infolders operating around the ends of the blank. In plan view the shape of these infolders is best shown in Figs. 5 and 6 wherein, at the rear side, the cover plate has been omitted'to show the construction. Thus each end side infolder 7 6 or 76 has an endwise extension 77 or 77, the top side of which is partly flush are shown attached respectively to the frame side bars 63 and 65 by means of bolts 81 and 81 permitting endwise adjustment for changes of size and the like.

On top of each end side infolder 76 or'76 is shown attached a cover plate 82 or 82, which is substantially a part of the infolder, its inner edge however not extending inwardly over the thinned portion 743 or 7 4, but being set back, as indicated, thus constituting a positioning means or gage within which the unfolded blank may be originally set by the operator. Otherwise each cover plate is substantially coextensive with the infolder to which it is attached, and each cover plate is formed with a slot 83 for the passage of a sliding pin to be described.

The end infolding means at each end of the blank is shown as comprising a longitudinallyrmoving' infolder at the extreme end, which like the side infolders is operated and timed by cams, and at each side of the extreme end, between the end infolder, and the end side infolder, one or more intermediate infolders, not directly cam driven but taking their motion from the end and end side infolders. Oneyof these intermediate infolders is the generally L-shape infolder 85 or 85 having its longitudinal extension or shank 86 or 86 enclosed and guidedbetween the portions 77 or less regular folds.

or 7 7 and 79 or 79 of theend side infolders. The L-shape infolder or 85 is also formed with a transverse slot 87 or 87 engagedby a portion of the end infolder to be described. The main portion of the L-shape infolder 85 or 85 has its inner or folding edge shaped to the contour of the blank, as in the case of the other infolders, but it is composed entirely of a thin plate sliding in the recess of the end side infolders, and has no thicker body portion of its own.

At each end of the folding system is an end folder 89 which may be T-shape so as to provide lateral wings 90v and 90 extending into the slots 87 and 87 of the L-shape infolders. The end infolder 89 itself is shaped to conform to a small portion or the apex of the shape to be folded. The shank or longitudinal portion of the end infolder 89. may be guided by means of a longitudinal slot 91 formed therein engaging upon a fixed guide plate 92 upstanding from the machine bed 21. Outward of the guiding slot 91 the infolder 89 is shown as formed with a recess 93 to receive the pin of actuating connections to be described.

A blank end crimping means may advantageously be employed, this being shown in the form of a curved'piece or strip 95, mounted upon and upstanding from each end infolder 89, and its top side being substantially flush with the top side of the cover plates 82. The arrangement is such that when a new blank is inserted on the bed of the machine, its outline will fall generally inside of the cover plates 82, as already described, but the ends of the blank will overlie the curved piece 95, so that when the templet descends upon the blank and presses it down upon the pad 22, the material around the ends of the blank will be bent or turned vertically and thus initially crimped or formed into more This constitutes a preparation for the subsequent infolding ac= tion and affords a disposition of the cloth such that during the infolding the cloth will lie down on top of the templet in the most advantageous manner, with minimum tendency to excessive bunching at any one point.

While in Figs. 47 and 9 a curved crimp plate 95 is shown with a plain curved edge or outline it may sometimes be deslrable to modify the crimp plate by forming its inside or crimping edge with serrations, notches or scallops, so as to assist forming the cloth 1nto as many and evenly spaced small waves or scallops as possible. Such a modified crimp plate 96 is indicated in Fig. 15. This not merely will give better distribution of the turned in pleats or scallops, to avoid undue bunching at any point, but avoids alsothe tendency, where the distribution is uneven, toproduce short straight sections of outline in the final product, and thus insures asmooth evenly curved outline.

mounted in the inclined recesses 80 and 80 of the end side infolders and extending into abutting contact with the L-shape infolders so asto complete and preserve the folding outline at this point, while permitting longitudinal yielding during the inward movement of the infolders as will be clear by comparison of Figs. 5 and 6. Each of the yielding infolders is shown as having an upstanding pin 98 and 98 extending through the slot 83 or 83 in the cover plate and pulled upon by a spring 99 so as yieldingly to hold the infolders 97 and 97 in their initial or normal position as shown in Fig. 5. This yielding infolder might be omitted in some cases, but

is greatly preferable where there is any curvature to that portion of the outline which falls between the intermediate infolder 85 or 85 and the end side infolder 76 or 76.

There have now been described the full complement of infolders surrounding the templet and blank at both sides and both ends, a total of sixteen infolders in the preferred embodiment. These are shown in their normal or outward position in Fig. 5 and in their inward position in Fig. 6 after the folds have been formed. In Fig. 5 the blank is omitted, but its external outline will correspond substantially with the dotted line indicating the limits of the thin infolder edge 74, 7 4 etc. In Fig. 6 the folded blank is actually shown, and the side infolds I) appear at the left of the figure, overlying the plates of the templet, the body ofthe blank a showing between two of the plates of the templet. In their inward positions the infolders do not need to line up, but may take the relative position shown, wherein each infolder has moved inwardly more than enough to cover the margin infolded by it, the infolders in this position being subsequently used, as will be described, in effecting a squeezing or forcible pressing of the infolds upon the supporting bed or pad.

While the order in which the infolders are moved may be varied according to the shape and circumstances it is preferred, with the illustrated shape, to start the end infolders 89 inwardly somewhat in advance of the side infolders so as to commence the crimping and preferred formation of the material around the curved ends at the very start of the infolding action. It will be noted that the relation between the various infolders around each end is substantially as follows. As the T- shape end infolder 89 starts in it carries with it the L-shape infolders 86 and 86 these at first taking a purely endwise movement, and forcing ahead of them the yielding infolders 97 and 97 so that the curved outline of the blank is maintained intact.

As soon as the All ' folders causes the form of a curved diagonal from the Fig.

5 to the Fig. 6 position.

Inasmuch as the end infolders arepreferably actuated ahead of the side infolders the actuating; connections forthe end infolders will first be described,'this actuation being independent of the movements of the side bars of the collapsing frame. As best seen in Figs. 1 to 7 the aperture 93 near the outer end of each end infolder'89is engaged by a pin 102 having its headed lower end sliding in the groove or slot 23 in the bed of themachine, thispin being attached to a longitudinal connecting or pushing rod 103 ;by which the in and out movements are given to the infolden .f The push rod 103 extends outwardly beyond the'connections to be described and is formed with a longitudinal slot v 1 adjustablyreceiving a pair of bolts 10 5 by which the bar is mounted at the upper side of a pivoted block 106 swivelled at the top end of a lever arm 107, see also Figs. 1 and 2. l The lever of which the arm 107 is apart is fulcrumed at 108 on the machine frame. and has a downwardly extending arm 109 provided witha cam roll 110 at its lower end,-this roll engaging a cam groove 111 of a cam disk 112 mounted on the main shaft '19. The contour of the cam grooves 111 in the two ends of the machine is such as to cause the end. infolders to move inwardly as described and subsequently, after the pressing, to move outwardly to initial position. 'Theprecise contour of the cam grooves will not be described in de tail, but is indicated in the drawings, and will subsequently be made clear inspecificdetail by a recital of the timing and action of all of the cams of the machine in. relat ion'toeach other. 1 i i I The frontand rear movements of the side l and intermediate infolders inwardly and outwardly are effected, as already stated by by the approaching and receding movementsof the side bars of the telescoping fra-me62. Attention has already been called to the two lugs 69 extending outwardly or forwardly from the front frame bar- 63 and the similar lugs 69 extending rcarwardlyfrom the other frame bar 63 The movements of the frame bars toward and from eachother are effected thTOUgiICOIHlGCtlOIlS from the main shaft-to these lugs. The construction 18 138811511031711 in Figs; '1 and 10 with reference alsoto various otherfigures. Extending downwardly from each lug 69is a bolt 115 carrying a swivell-ing block 116 at ts lower end, the two blocks 116 being mounted loosely on a. longitudinal shaft 117. The structure is substantially symmetrically duplicated at the rear side with the. parts 115", 116*, etc., which to I avoid repetition, will be omitted from further reference. Directly beneath each of the lugs 69 and blocks116 is shown a stationary bracket 119 formed at its upper side with a recess 120 at the front rand a ledge 121;at

a somewhat higher level to the rear of the recess. This construction is shown in detail inFigs. 18 and 14. Normally the frame side bar 63 is in its forward position and in its downward position wherein the block 116 will rest down upon the bracket 119 within the recess 120, this position being indicatedin Figs. 1, 2 and 4:. When however the collapsing frame has been elevated and its side bars moved inwardly to operate the infolders and allowed to come down with the infolders in their inward position, the blocks v116 will come down on top of the ledges 121, as shown in Figs. 10, 13 and 14. The ledges thereby. form an abutment for the outer part of the. frame side bars, giving proper support to the infolding system at this outer point, so that when squeezing pressureis applied at an in; termediate point the thrust will be effectively received through the blocks resting upon the ledges while the squeezing pressure is delivered by the in'folders upon the folded blank occupied by the templet and resting on the elevated; pad 22. Without the solid support afforded by the blocks and ledges outwards of the frame side bars the powerful pressing action would not be effectively performed at the infolding point.

p The shaft 117 carries not only the swivelledblocks 116, but also carries collars 123 conr; fining sleeves 124 formed at the top ends of telescopic rods 125 extending loosely through tubes 126 swingingly mounted at their lower ends 127 to arock shaft 128. The same con struction beingprovided both atv the front and rear, as Fig. 10 shows, it is only neces sary to rock the two shafts 128 and 128 to cause the swinging of the tubes, rods, sleeves and shafts andthereby the inward and outward movements of the frame side bars and infolders. Atthe same time the telescopic arrangement 125-126 permits freely the up and down movements yet to be described,- and renders the two sets of movements independent ofeach other, the weight of the parts and gravity holding them down in any given position except as they may be. more or less elevatedas will later be described.

The inward and outward movements of the sidebars 63. and 63 and connected infolders may be effected by rocking the shafts 128 and 128 these shafts for this purpose being provided with inwardly extending cam on thetmain shaft 19. The cam connections not appearing in Fig. 10 are shown in corresponding view in Fig. 12, which taken with F ig. 1 clearly show the complete structure. The exact contour and timing of the cams is sutliciently indicated in Fig. 12, but will not bedescribed in detail except subsequently in connection with the relative timing and movements of the various cam operated parts of the machine.

Referring next to the lifting and lowering movements of the infolder system carried by the telescoping frame 62 this may be effected under cam control, for example by the following mechanism. Reference has already been :made to the two swivelled blocks 70 underneath the front side bar of the frame and the corresponding swivelled blocks 7 0 above the rear frame side bar. From the front swivelled blocks extend downwardly a pair of rods 135 and from the rear block rods 135, so that we have a system of four rods at the corners of a rectangle which completely 7 encloses the folding position. As will be clear from Fig. 10 the front rods are substantially midway between the swivelled blocks 116 which rest on the bracket 119 and the point where the infolder edges 74 overlap the templet and supporting pad. This is for the purpose of improving the pressing action later to be described. It is a delicate operation to adjust four rods so that the frame carried at the top of them will partake of the up and down movements with exactness. Each of the front rods 135 is shown as provided with a turnbuckle adjusting device 136, see Figs. 1 and 10 by which the front rods can be adjusted into exact cooperation. The rear rods 135 may be analogously adjusted by means of adjusting nuts and lock nuts 137 at their top ends as shown in Figs. 4 and 10. When the two rear rods are in exact adjustment and the two front ones are in exact ad-- justment the relative adjustment as between the front ones and the rear ones, may be effected otherwise, as will be later described.

The connections for moving the four elevating and lowering rods may be substantially as follows. In the front lower part of the machine is shown a heavy rocker member 140 having two integral rear arms 139 to which the lower ends of the front rods are pivoted, as best shown in Figs. 1, 10 and 11;

v and the rear rods may similarly be pivoted to'arIns 139 of a rear heavy rocker 140*. Each of the two rockers may be provided with upstanding ears 141 or 141 for mounting the rocker to turn loosely on a counter axle 142 or 142*. These parts are extremely heavy substantially as follows. A swinging arm 145 has its hub loosely surrounding the axle 142 and is formed at its lower end with a yoke 146 straddling the front rocker 140 and having adjusting bolts 147 extending through the sides of the yoke into firm contact with the rocker. This acts as a rigid connection, but permits adjustment to alter the extent of lift, namely by loosening one of the bolts 147 and tightening the other, thus changing the relation of the parts.

The upper end of the swinging arm 145 is provided with a cam roll 149 adapted to engage upon the outer edge of a peripheral cam or disk 150 on the main shaft 19. The roll is not always in contact with its cam, but is adapted to be thrust forwardly by the cam in order to rock the rocker in a direction to cause lifting movements of the front rods 135, while an interconnection to be described duplicates these movements inthe rear rods, thus lifting all four rods simultaneously and symmetrically for the raising and lowering of the telescoping frame and infolding system.

The rocker 140 is shown as provided with a heavy arm 152 projecting toward the center line of the machine. This is effectively rigid and might be integral with the rocker 140 but is preferably adjustably connected to it for reasons to be explained. For this purpose the heavy arm 152 is formed with a hub 153 which is mounted on the axle 142 between two of the ears 141 of the rocker. The heavy arm 152 is also formed with a contact plate 154 and this rests against a contact screw 155 extending through the lower part of the rocker. Adjustment of the screw 155 changes the relation of the parts in amanner enabling an adjustment to be made as between the lifting and lowering actions at the front and rear of the telescoping frame respectively, so that if the front rods 135 have an adjustment which is not exactly in correspondence with that of the rear rods 135 the screw 155 can be turned to bring exactitude.

Returning to the heavy arm 152, this is shown in Figs. 10 and 11 as having a forked end or box 157 which carries a through stud 158 on which are mounted square blocks 159 engaging in horizontal slots 160 in heavy arms 152 extending integrally from the rear rockers 140. By this arrangement the two heavy arms and therefore the two rockers are caused to rock in synchronism; and when the cam 150 operates on the roller 149 to swing the lever 145 and rocker 140, these movements will be transmitted to the rocker 140 whereby the lifting movement will be transmitted through all four lifting rods, thus carrying the telscopic frame upwardly, and letting it down, without tilting.

After the infolders have been lifted as described and have been moved inwardly over the blank and templet as described, they will be let down to rest by gravity thereon, and

when in this position the heavy squeezing pressure is applied by separate cam means. This conveniently is done through a roller 162 on the stud 158 which operates at the crossing point of the two heavy arms 152 and 152*. A peripheral cam or disk 163 is mounted on the main shaft 19 directly above the roller 162 and at the proper point in the cycle of movements the cam will thrust down on the roller to transmit the heavy creasing pressure through the rockers and vertical rods to the telescoping frame and infolders. During this pressure the rods pull downwardly while the frame side bars and infolders fulcrum about the swivel blocks 116 resting on the ledges 121 as already described. This will be clear from Fig. 10 wherein the squeezing or creasing action is in effect performed leverage of the third class. The actual extent of squeezing movement is quite small and is readily permitted by the natural elastic yield of the parts of the frame and incidental minute looseness of fit as between the telescoping parts of the frame.

It should be stated that both the cam 150 which effects the lifting and lowering movements of the frame 62 and infolder system and the cam 163 which effects the powerful depression thereof mayeither of them be entirely disengaged from. their followers, or both of them may be disengaged at the same time, which is the condition indicated in Figs.

1 and 2 wherein the telescoping frame rests by.

the blocks 116 in the recesses 120, whilethe' templet is elevated. The lifting cam 150 will be out of action and engagement with its follower, as in Fig. 10, before the pressure cam 163 operates.

The blank defining, folding and'pressing means and connections having been described, the preferred cycle of operations w ll be referred to. Preferably the main shaft makes one complete rotation for a complete cycle of actions, the parts starting as in Figs. 1 to 5 with the templet elevated and the infolders in their outward and lowered position. Preferably the power is thrown off and the machine brought to rest in this position, subject to the control of the operator. 1

When the machine is restarted the order of actions may be as follows. The templet moves down upon the blank whichhas already been plaeed in folding position manually or otherwise. As the templet reaches its lowered position all of the infolders are moved slightly out so as to clear their under parts from contact with the blank supporting pad. Next the infolding system, through the telescoping frame, is lifted sufficiently for the infolders to clear'the top of the padand the templet thereon- The cams 111 then come into play to start the end folders in wardly, which carries the intermediate infolders in the same endwise direction. When the end folders have moved about halfway the side folders start their inward movement, and the folding action ceases with all the infolders in their inward position as in Fig. 6. The cams 111 and 132 and 132 cease acting as they come to dwell positions. The cam 150 which has effected the elevating of the infolder system now permits a lowering thereof so that the infolders come down and rest upon the'infolded blanks. Immediately thereafter the pressure cam 163 commences to press down upon the roller 162 and causes powerful depression of the infolder system to squeeze the blanks. Preferably the drive mechanism is arranged to declutch and stop the machine at this point unless the operative purposely maintains the machine in operation. After a substantial length of time, which may amount to nearly half the total cycle, the pressure cam rides ofl its roller and the pressure is released. The lifting cam thereupon causes a slight lifting of the frame and infolders, perhaps for one-sixteenth inch, and the infolder actuating cams then all operate in unison to'move all of the infolders out to initial position. The templet then starts up and about the same time the infolders are lowered to their initial position and finally moved in into contact with the pad. During the upward movement of the templet it shortens, as already described, permitting the blank to be stripped from the templet, and the machine comes to rest in this position unless the operative purposely maintains it in continued rotation.

Various modes of drive may be employed.

.For example the main shaft 19 is shown as carrying a worm wheel 169 driven by a worm 170 on a drive shaft 171 supported in fixed bearings 172. At its rear end the drive shaft carries a fast clutch member 174 and a loose pulley or clutchmember 175, the latter drivon by a belt 176 from the pulley 177 of an electric motor 178. hen the clutch is engaged the machine remains in operation.

The clutch may comprise an internal expansion ring 180 inside the pulley 175. The expansion of the ring is efiected at both sides by a pair of levers 181 mounted on the fast clutch member. The two levers may be swung outward to clutch the clutch by means ofa cone 182 on a sliding collar 183. When the collar is slid to the right the cone expands and thrusts the levers apart and closes the clutch. A groove 184 formed in the collar 183 is engaged by pins at the end of a yoke 185 formed on an arm fulcrumed at 186 on the machine frame. A lateral extension 187 from the yoke arm carries a brake shoe 188-, so that when the clutch is released the brake is applied. The yoke arm also has a downward arm 190 operable by a pedal. A link191 connects arm'190 with an arm 192 of a bell crank lever havinga forward arm 193 connected by pin and slot engagement with a pedal 19. By depressing the rear part of the pedal the parts are thrown to remove the brake and apply the clutch and when the pedal is let up the parts are set for the opening of the clutch at a certain point in the cycle.

The general control may be through a control lever 196 from a cyclic controlling disk 197 mounted on a shaft 198 which also carries a gear 199 meshing with a gear 200 on the main shaft, so that the cyclic disk makes one complete turn for one complete cycle of the machine. The disk 197 carries two declutching dogs 202, one arranged for declutching when the templet is up and the other when the pressure is on. As shown separately in Fig. 3 each dog is pressed outwardly by a spring. Each of the dogs cooperates with the lever 196 by forcing its upper end to the right and thereby its lower end to the left to open the clutch and apply the brake, unless the parts are maintained in running position through the pedal, in which case the dogs yield without acting upon the lever.

The dogs 202 and lever 196 are so arranged that each dog comes into action upon the lever when moving in a diagonal direction, so that, while the dog norm ally may push the lever out, if not resisted by the pedal, until the clutch is opened and brake applied and the parts come to rest in the Fig. 2 position, yet if the pedal is held down and the lever 196 thus held in, the dog may be cammed in by the lever and thus caused to pass the lever without operating the clutch. This device is simple, strong and reliable.

If the pedal is released there will be no stoppage until the next dog travels around to the lever, as the cone collar will hold the clutch spread and closed in the meanwhile, and a light spring may be used to hold the levers 196 or 190 swung into clutching position until reversed by the stronger action of the dog; and the pedal has a forward extensionthat may be depressed at any time to throw open the clutch and apply the brake, which is easily able to stop quickly the worm shaft 171. The speed ratio between the worm 170 and wheel 169 may be as 20 to 1.

The cyclic disk 197 might have a dog only at the final or templet-up position, but the two-dog arrangement gives latitude, in that whenever desired the pressing period may be prolonged at will by simply allowing the stop and delaying the restart; while at the end of the cycle any desired time may be taken for inserting the new blank and extracting the folded one, or with expertness the pedal may be held down and no time lost between cycles.

At the upper front is shown a readily removable shelf or table 205 with a protecting wall 206 at its rear, on which shelf the blanks may be prepared, by assembling plies or otherwise, for insertion into the machine, and the completed blanks may be collected or stacked there or elsewhere as removed.

Various changes of arrangement and operation may be made within the scope of the several features of invention. The infolding means, for example, may have the end infolder 89 and the intermediate infolders 85 and 85 interchanged for a pair of infolders covering the same round end part of the outline, and pivoted to each other near the apex, and swung in by connect-ion with the side infolders; this arrangement being shown and specifically claimed in companion application filed the same day herewith.

The present invention is not intended to be limited to any matters of operation, combination, arrangement or detail, except to the extent specified in the respective claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An infolding machine having a contractible templet, means for lifting and lowering it about a rear axis, a cam secured by a mounting at the axis of templet swing, a follower on the templet cooperating with said cam to contract the templet during lifting, and means for relatively adjusting the cam and follower to change the timing of the contraction of the templet, consisting of a clamping device holding the cam at a point removed from the axis and releasable to permit rotary shift of the cam.

2. An infolding machine having blank supporting and defining means and a plurality of infolders, a hollow carriage or frame with sides telescopim upon each other and surrounding and carrying the infolders, and means for lifting and lowering the carriage and infolders in coordination with their operation.

3. A machine as in claim 2 and wherein part of the infolders is attached to the carriage to move in and out therewith, and another part has other means for moving the same in and out with different timing.

l. An infolding machine having blank supporting ant defining means and a plurality of infolders, a telescoping frame surrounding the folding position and carrying the infolders, means for telescoping the frame to actuate infolders to move inwardly, means for lifting bodily the frame and infolders before the inward movement of the latter, and lowering them after such movement, and pressure means for forcing the frame and infolders down to squeeze the folded blank.

5. A machine as in claim 4 and wherein the infolders include infolders for the sides and other infolders for the ends of the blanks, the side infolders being carried to be moved inward by the telescoping of the frame, and independent means for moving inward the end infolders.

6. An infolding machine having blank supporting and defining means and a plurality of infolders. rounding the folding position and carrying a telescoping frame surthe infolders, said frame having opposite side bars movable towards andfrom each other in the telescoping thereof, to move infolders inwardly and outwardly, contacts or blocks at the outer sides of the side bars, abutments or stops on which said'contacts normally seat when the frame side bars and infolders are out and down, meansto lift the frame and infolders before the latter move inwardly and thereafter lower them so that the infolders rest on the foldedblanks, means to move the frame side bars and infolders inwardly, abutments on which said blocks rest when the side bars are moved inwardly and the frame is lowered, and pressure means acting between the abutments and the folded blanks at each side to force downwardly the frame and infolders and thereby press the folds upon the blank supporting means.

7. An infolding machine having blank supporting and defining means and a plurality of infolders, a telescoping frame surrounding the folding position and carrying the infolders, said frame having opposite side bars movable towards and from each other in the telescoping thereof, to move infolders inwardly and outwardly, one or both of the side bars having contact points at its outer side, means for lifting the frame, moving its side bar inwardly, and lowering the same, abutments on which said contact points rest when the side bar and infolders are inward and lowered, and pressure means pulling down upon the side bar and infolders at a point midway between the abutments as fulcrum and infolded blanks to cause squeezing of the infolds between the infolders and support.

8. An infolding machine having a blank supporting bed, a defining templet and infolders, a telescoping frame having side bars carrying the infolders, means for bodily lifting and lowering the frame and infolders, and means for telescoping the frame, comprising at each or both sides, outward lugs on the side bar, a longitudinal fulcrum shaft in said lugs, depending rods fulcrumed on said shaft, tubes slidingly engagin the rods, a rock shaft carrying the tubes, and a timed means or cam for rocking such shaft.

9. An infolding machine having a blank supporting bed, a defining templet and infolders, a longitudinal side bar carrying the infolders at one or both sides of the bed, means for bodily lifting and lowering the side bar and infolders, and means for moving inwardly and outwardly the side bar and infolders, comprising two depending members pivoted at spaced points to the side bar, two upstanding members having sliding engagement therewith, a rock shaft to which the lower ends of both upstanding members are attached, and means for rocking the shaft in coordination with the lifting and lowering means.

10. A machine as in claim 9 and wherein the side bar'has spaced apart projections, abutments on which said projections normally rest, abutments relatively higher than and inward of the first abutments to receive such I projections when the sidebar has been lifted, moved in and lowered, and pressure means acting between the line of the projections and the folding position to pull down upon the infolders while the higher abutments act as a fulcrum.

11. An infolding machine having a blank supportingbed, defining templet, and infolders adjacent the folding position, a frame bodily carrying the infolders, timed means for moving the infolders inwardly and outwardly, and means for lifting and lowering the frame and infolders in coordination therewith, comprising rods depending from both sides and ends of theframe,

front and rear rockers beneath the bed to which the front and rear rods respectively are connected, timed means for rocking one of the rockers, and a connection between the rockers, whereby they are moved in unison and lift or lower allthe rods inunison.

12; A machine as in claim 11 and wherein the secondtimed means comprises a rotary cam below the bed and above the'rockers, a cam lever actuated thereby, and an adjustable connection between said lever and a tions of the frame and infolders.

13. A machine as in claim lland wherein is means for adjusting the connection be tween the rockers and thereby the relation between the front rods and the rear rods. 7

14. A machine asin claim 11 and wherein is vmeans for adjusting the connection between therockers and thereby the relation between the front rods and therear rods, and a separate timed means or cam cooperatively rocking both rockers to apply powerful pull upon the rods to depress the frame and infolders upon the folded blank. 7

15. An infolding machine having a blank supporting bed, defining templet, and infold-V ers adjacent the folding position, a frame bodily carrying the infolders, timed means for moving the infolders inwardly and out-V wardly, and means for lifting and lowering the frame, and infolders in coordination therewith, comprising rods depending from both all the rods in unison, and a separate timed means or cam-cooperatively rookingboth rockers to apply powerful pull upon the rods to depress the frame and j infolders upon the folded blank. I

16. An-infolding machine having a blank rockers beneath the bed to which the front and rear rods respectively are connected, a drive shaft beneath the bed, extensions from .both rockers beneath said shaft, a pressure cam on the shaft adapted to force down both 7 rocker extensions and thereby depress the rodsandframe but incapable of lifting the same, a lifting cam on the shaft and a follower'connected' to the rockersadapted to rock both'rockers to lift the rods and frame but incapable of depressing the same.

17. A machine as inclaim 16 and wherein said cams are so related that the lifting cam realeases the frame and infolders to rest upon the folded blanks before the pressing cam acts to depress the same.

' 18: In a machinefo-r infolding round end blanks, a supporting bed, defining, templet and infolders, the latterinoluding at each round end opposite side infolders movable laterally, an endinfolder movable longitudinally, and opposite intermediate infolders each'connected'both to a side and the end infolders to take a combined motion therefrom. p

19-. A machine as in claim 18 and wherein the end infolder is T-shape with its lateral wings engaging slidingly the intermediate infolder, and-thelatter has a longitudinal extension slidable in the side infolder; V

20.- A machine as in claim 18 and wherein are timed connections for starting inwardly the end infolder in advance of the side in-' folder, and other connection'sfor thereupon moving inwardly the side infolders, the intermediate infolders moving first endwise and then slantingly.

21. A machine as in claim 18 and wherein normally the folding edges of the side and intermediateinfolders are separated,- and a yielding infolder fitted toone of them normally to close the space but to yield as the infolders move inward. I

7 22; A machine as'isclaim 18'and wherein the end infolder carries a curved crimp plate I upstanding from the infoldinglevel to turn upthe rounded end margins of the blank before the infolders move inwardI 23; A machine as in claim 18 and wherein the end inf older carries a curved crimp plate upstanding from the infolding level to turn up the rounded end margins of the blank before the infolders move inward, said crimp plate being indented or scalloped to determine the disposition of the ruptured material and the folding-in thereof.

24, Aninfolding machine having a bed, a

templet, infolders' and p ressing means, an operatlng shaft, a power shaft, a clutch for applying and removing power from the power shaft, a cyclic member or disk turn- H tion, and a clutch applying means or pedal.

25. A machine as in claim 24 and wherein the means on the cyclic member comprises a spring pressed dog cooperating with the unclutching connection at such angle that the unclutching can be prevented by superior pressure of the clutch applying means i or pedal causing the yielding of the dog.

In testimony whereof, this specification has been duly signed by:

WALTER L. DIXON. 

